Alumni News

George B. Forsythe (MACT '77, Ph.D. '84) named president of Westminster College

March 7, 2008

George B. Forsythe, who received both his master’s degree in college teaching and doctoral degree in Higher and Adult Education from the School of Education, recently was named the 20th president of Westminster College in Fulton, Mo.

Forsythe had been serving as acting president prior to his official nomination. Additionally, Dr. Forsythe served as Senior Vice President of Westminster and Dean of Faculty from 2005-2007.

“I am extremely excited about leading the Westminster community as we carry out our mission of preparing our students for lives of success, significance and service,” said Forsythe. “Westminster College is a vibrant learning community with a shared sense of institutional purpose: developing leaders in a global community. I am committed to ensuring this vision guides our efforts in the years to come.

Forsythe’s appointment follows the most thorough selection process of any presidential candidate in Westminster history. In choosing a successor, the college’s Board of Trustees sought the input of students, faculty, staff, alumni, other higher education leaders and Fulton community leaders.

“Dr. Forsythe’s presidency offers a unique opportunity in the history of Westminster,” said Ron Winney, Chair of the Westminster Board of Trustees. “The Board is pleased with the direction the College has taken over the past few years and since Dr. Forsythe was deeply involved in setting that strategic direction, we feel his transition into the position will be seamless and the momentum that has been established at the College will continue to build.”

Prior to coming to the Westminster community, Forsythe served at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point for nine years as the Vice Dean for Education. From 1977 to 1980, he was an instructor and assistant professor in West Point’s Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership. He returned to the Military Academy in 1984 as an associate professor and was promoted to Professor of Psychology and Leadership in 1991. In 1991, he founded the Center for Leadership and Organizations Research and served as the Center Director until 1996. From 1994-1996, he served on the Dean’s staff as the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.

Forsythe’s scholarly achievements comprise more than 40 publications and presentations, including one university-press book, 10 book chapters and 10 peer-reviewed journal articles on leadership and student development, post-secondary education and assessment.

Founded in 1851, Westminster College is a private, selective, coeducational, residential,
undergraduate college located in Fulton, Mo. The college is dedicated to educational excellence based on the key values of integrity, fairness, respect and responsibility.